2024 Playoffs- 3rd Round: Minnesota Timberwolves - Dallas Mavericks- MAVS WIN 4-1!

[KillerLeft]

By the way, here's an interesting couple of tweets (one link) concerning the Minnesota bigs discussion we're having here today. 

https://x.com/BibsCorner/status/1793736550511149088

[michaeltex]

My question to the brighter bball minds here is where does MIN get the extra minutes if they sit, or at least minimize, Golbert and/or Conley, like has been suggested? They can't go any shorter on the rotation.

They only played 8 players last night and Conley was already down to 31 minutes. Does NAW and Anderson really worry anybody if they play more minutes? Reid already played 24, so he could maybe go for another 10-12, but he's backing up both Golbert and KAT, so I'm not sure how much real burn he has.

[Smitty]

I'm not saying you're wrong, because we might very well see them try that at some point in the series, but if they do, that's a tactical win for Dallas, because Kyrie won't even need a screen to beat Conley, which means Dallas can easily position offensive players to dictate where the help defense comes from, and that it comes off of the Mavs players THEY want freed up. That, imo, would be a grave error on the part of Minnesota.

You’re absolutely right that it’ll lead to more Kyrie ISO’s. But it keeps ANT out of ball screens and gives them a chance to hide him on DJJ. They can’t keep ANT on Kyrie and their options are limited, with running out two 7 footers.

[KillerLeft]

My question to the brighter bball minds here is where does MIN get the extra minutes if they sit, or at least minimize, Golbert and/or Conley, like has been suggested? They can't go any shorter on the rotation.

They only played 8 players last night and Conley was already down to 31 minutes.  Does NAW and Anderson really worry anybody if they play more minutes? Reid already played 24, so he could maybe go for another 10-12, but he's backing up both Golbert and KAT, so I'm not sure how much real burn he has.

This is a great question. I don’t expect them to sit anyone who played last night. If I were in charge, I would up the minutes of Kyle Anderson, and lower the minutes of Gobert, that’s all.

[Smitty]

They start with Conley on Kyrie and ANT on DJJ but it’s not an all game type move. When Anderson is on the floor he’ll guard Luka and McDaniels will switch to Kyrie. NAW will get some of that matchup also.

I just think there’s no way they can live with ANT being anywhere near the primary defender on Kai.

[Knutsen]

I do hope for a great shooting display tomorrow. Just to keep the Timberwolves defense guessing and not getting into a groove on how to defend us.

By the way our really bad three point shooting performance was almost equaled out by our almost perfect free throw shooting display. Haven’t seen that coming, but I‘ll gladly take it every day of the week!

[KillerLeft]

They start with Conley on Kyrie and ANT on DJJ but it’s not an all game type move. When Anderson is on the floor he’ll guard Luka and McDaniels will switch to Kyrie. NAW will get some of that matchup also.

I just think there’s no way they can live with ANT being anywhere near the primary defender on Kai.

I agree, from the angle you are examining, which I think is optimizing Edwards’ offense. I kind of feel like maybe after game one they are more focused on fixing their defense, which would absolutely not prompt them to put calmly anywhere near Kyrie or Luka.

But it is an interesting thought, I agree. Should be fun to see what comes next!

[MaxiThreeba]

The playoffs are also a great reminder of how little the national media watches teams compared to the sickos that are fans of the team and consume as much as possible about their team. 

The most recent example today was the few times I heard/read mention from non-Dallas media types about how Luka’s knee was bleeding last night like it’s the first time it’s happened. Even the mention on the broadcast was like it was breaking news.  

None of them know that bloody leg sleeve has been a constant for a long time now, I assume from them draining that knee at least once. 

Just a nice daily reminder that these guys knowledge about the Mavs is less than anyone posting on this board, much less any of the folks doing deep dives on all things Mavs year round.

[omahen]

None of them know that bloody leg sleeve has been a constant for a long time now, I assume from them draining that knee at least once. 

Blood is on the left knee, while he is having problems with the right knee. Based on Lukas father in Slovenian media, it is just some scratches/wounds that never heal (crust comes off daily) due to constant friction with the knee sleaves (or whatever those things on his knees are called). No problem at all

[MaxiThreeba]

Blood is on the left knee, while he is having problems with the right knee. Based on Lukas father in Slovenian media, it is just some scratches/wounds that never heal (crust comes off daily) due to constant friction with the knee sleaves (or whatever those things on his knees are called). No problem at all

See I knew if I threw out the bait, one of you sickos would know exactly what it was!

Point being it’s constant and they are acting like they’ve never seen it before.

[omahen]

See I knew if I threw out the bait, one of you sickos would know exactly what it was!

Point being it’s constant and they are acting like they’ve never seen it before.

I was just reacting, because also Slovenian internet community is spreading all kinds of theories how blood is a consequence of numerous injections he is getting so he is able to play. All the while overlooking the simple fact, that blood is not even on the knee that is bothering him.

[The Jom]

My question to the brighter bball minds here is where does MIN get the extra minutes if they sit, or at least minimize, Golbert and/or Conley, like has been suggested? They can't go any shorter on the rotation.

They only played 8 players last night and Conley was already down to 31 minutes.  Does NAW and Anderson really worry anybody if they play more minutes? Reid already played 24, so he could maybe go for another 10-12, but he's backing up both Golbert and KAT, so I'm not sure how much real burn he has.

If the question is truly limited to brighter minds, that might get me in trouble. But I can’t help wondering if they won’t have to do precisely what LAC and OKC did. Which is evolve away from minutes with better players who aren’t real 3-point threats (Giddey, Wiggins, Westbrook) in favor of smaller players who can’t be completely ignored from distance (Joe, Powell, Tucker). Slomo doesn’t fit that profile. Monte Morris does.

[OBX Maverick]

Blood is on the left knee, while he is having problems with the right knee. Based on Lukas father in Slovenian media, it is just some scratches/wounds that never heal (crust comes off daily) due to constant friction with the knee sleaves (or whatever those things on his knees are called). No problem at all

That’s exactly what that is!  It’s not from a knee injection or aspiration lol! He just keeps falling on it. I did see him stumble and tweak the right knee on one play under the basket last night in the first quarter.  He took a couple awkward steps before stopping and bending over.  Then Kidd rested him earlier and longer than he typically has…..I didn’t realized he subbed out and was worried that he really had aggravated the knee.

[SleepingHero]

Speaking of 4/5 depth, should we hold out ANY hope for a Kleber return at some point, or is that just a fantasy, do we think?

Kidd said that it's a real possibility Kleber can return this series. He's already getting up shots in practice, although it's stationary set shots.

[Winter]

If Kleber gets the call, I'm guessing it will be a Home game.

[SleepingHero]

For sure, Edwards wants to get deeper and did it time and time again against the Nugs but I'm curious how much that holds up against our defense.  Last night he certainly seemed to have something going on in his head considering he only had 2 shots of the rim but you know he'll come out trying to change that game 2.  What we have that Denver didn't is TWO great rim protectors to greet him there.  And the difference now is instead of those bigs having to leave Chet on the perimeter (where he just missed everything anyway) to meet drivers at the rim, they will simply be leaving the most offensively inept center this league has seen since Ben Wallace.

I think not only do we have two great rim protectors, but even our wings are strong off ball rim protectors. DJJ and PJ's athleticism allows them to cover so much airspace. Even if they are beat and are behind the play, you can't just go up and extend around our big men because DJJ/PJ will be there. It basically forces the offensive player to have enough athleticism to not only blow by the perimeter guy, but have enough vertical ability to go over our big guys. Edwards CAN do that, but that is a very tall order to ask of him to do every single time down. 

DJJ had a crazy block on SGA in the previous series because Gafford made him think twice and it let DJJ just come from behind and swat it. The Chet block in game 5 where DJJ just extends and blocks Chet's 3 is another example of his length.

Denver didn't have that.

Now Edwards is a freak of nature. I don't expect him to only attempt 2 shots at the rim again. But the Mavs certainly have the tools to make his life a lot harder than in the Denver series.

[SleepingHero]

They start with Conley on Kyrie and ANT on DJJ but it’s not an all game type move. When Anderson is on the floor he’ll guard Luka and McDaniels will switch to Kyrie. NAW will get some of that matchup also.

I just think there’s no way they can live with ANT being anywhere near the primary defender on Kai.

But the Mavs will just initiate a pick to get the switch they want. If they blitz, then the Mavs have the Wolves 4 on 3 and that's exactly where they want them. 

Their issue is Conley doesn't meet the required height, quickness, or strength to reliably guard Kyrie.  In his lone appearance in the regular season against the Wolves in January and he shot 3/4 on Conley. (He was 5/6 against Ant that game)

I think the Wolves are going to be forced to put in McDaniels or NAW on Kyrie early and try KAT on Luka. If that happens Luka has to get KAT in as much foul trouble as possible.

[Smitty]

But the Mavs will just initiate a pick to get the switch they want. If they blitz, then the Mavs have the Wolves 4 on 3 and that's exactly where they want them. 

Their issue is Conley doesn't meet the required height, quickness, or strength to reliably guard Kyrie.  In his lone appearance in the regular season against the Wolves in January and he shot 3/4 on Conley. (He was 5/6 against Ant that game)

I think the Wolves are going to be forced to put in McDaniels or NAW on Kyrie early and try KAT on Luka. If that happens Luka has to get KAT in as much foul trouble as possible.

I get it. Believe me. They don’t have a good option. I didn’t foresee that to be honest but it’s plainly obvious to me that they can’t keep ANT on Kyrie the whole game. 

Even when he was guarding Kai, he got cooked. They just let Conley get cooked in the same way and hope ANT brings it on the other end.

[Winter]

How Luka Doncic DOMINATED Timberwolves in Mavericks Game 1 win

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d3u0-c2uxQ

Jason at Hoops Tonight, great stuff w/video clips

[dirkfansince1998]

Just skimmed through game one reactions and the most popular idea to fix the defensive matchups for the Wolves is Edwards on Luka and McDaniels on Kyrie. Apparently people think that length has a bigger impact on Kyrie and a stronger more physical defender is better suited for the matchup with Luka. On paper I would agree but Edwards isn't going to survive a game against Luka. Foul trouble guaranteed unless the refs swallow the whistle.
Also don't think that Edwards would save energy. Luka isn't moving as much as Kyrie but he is more physical. Just looking back at the last series Dort vs Doncic looked more like a matchup on the line of scrimmage.

And to go back even further. Looking at the Mavs-Clippers series of the past. Even prime Kawhi wasn't guarding Luka. Just not possible to go all out on defense and still carry the offense all game long.